Extensible leg



Oct. 31, 1961 D. M. PARK ETAL EXTENSIBLE LEG Filed Sept. 18, 1959 M fwLw AT T YS.

United States Patent 0 T 3,006,706 EXTENSIBLE LEG Don M. Park and Alan B. Park, Metropolis, 111., assignors to Metropolis Bending Company, Metropolis, 11]., a corporation of Illinois Filed Sept. 18, 1959, Ser. No. 840,917 6 Claims. (Cl. 311-77) The present invention relates to table legs, and especially to an extensible table leg having at least a plurality of load supporting positions, or lengths provided by the leg.

Heretofore there have been many ditferent patents issued upon various types of table legs, and table legs have been provided heretofore that have had a plurality of operable lengths for support action. However, insofar as I am aware, all of such table legs having extensible lengths have been subject to certain problems or difficulties when in use, or the legs have been of relatively expensive construction, or parts of the operative mechanism have been continually exposed, or else the legs have been objectionable for other reasons.

It is the general object of the present invention to provide a new and improved extensible leg for use with tables, or similar articles, and characterized by the relatively inexpensive, uncomplicated construction of the extensible leg.

Another object of the invention is to provide an extensible table leg wherein a spring member automatically snaps out into operative position for load support action by an offset portion of the spring when an inner of two telescoped leg sections is pulled out to an extended, operative position.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a combined metal and wooden table leg wherein a tubular metal inner member is telescopically received and all operative parts are hidden within the wooden leg section and can be pulled from the wooden section for permitting a wire spring radially compressed within the metal member to snap out through a slot in the wall of the metal member for providing a load support shoulder in the table leg.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a pair of vertically spaced slots in an extensible table leg and to use a spring having a pair of offset support shoulders therein in association with the slots in the table leg so that either one of these offset shoulders can extend through an associated slot for load support action to provide a leg having a plurality of support lengths; to provide an extensible table leg assembly including inner and outer telescopically engaged members and where vertically spaced load support and stop means are provided in the inner member to prevent further axial outward movement 'of the inner member, and to prevent return telescopic movement of the inner member with relation to the outer member until certain automatic load support means associated with the inner member are manually depressed; and to provide a table leg with conventional support means thereon for load support action by the leg at a plurality of different vertical lengths.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the resent invention will be made more apparent as the specification proceeds.

Attention now is particularly directed to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a table having legs embodying the invention operatively associated therewith;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical section, partially shown in elevation, of the table leg shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical section of the table leg at the load support connection between the inner and outer members of the leg; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary section, partially in elevation,

of a modified table leg of the invention wherein the sup- 3,006,706 Patented Oct. 31, 1961 port spring has a plurality of vertically spaced load support shoulders provided thereon.

When referring to corresponding members shown in the drawings and referred to in the specification, corresponding numerals are used to facilitate comparison therebetween.

Generally speaking, the present invention relates to a leg for a table or the like, wherein the leg has a plurality of load carrying lengths and includes an upper member with a bore extending thereinto from the lower end thereof, a tubular member telescopically received in the bore and protruding downwardly from such upper member, the tubular member having a longitudinally extending slot therein and the upper member having a reduced diameter neck portion at the open end of the bore, and a wire spring radially compressed in the bore of the tubular member and provided with a radially outwardly extending offset section having upwardly and downwardly facing shoulders thereon, the offset section and the wire being of a width and length as to be snugly received in the slot to protrude therethrough when the slotted portion of the tubular member is moved out of the bore of the upper member to form a support shoulder to engage the neck portion of the upper member to prevent axially inward movement of the tubular member and position the leg for load support action at that given length.

Referring now to the details of the structure shown in the drawings, a table of generally conventional construction is indicated by the numeral 1, and it includes a top 2 that has a plurality of legs, or leg units 3 embodying the principles of the invention operatively associated therewith. These legs -3 are pivotally secured to the table 1, as by means of bracket members 4, that may have brace means 5 of conventional design associated with the individual legs 3 and operatively connecting such legs to the frame of the table 1 or top 2 thereof.

Each of the legs or leg units 3 include an upper member 6, preferably made from wood, and a lower member 7, usually made from a metal tube. The lower member 7 is telescopically received in a bore 8 provided in the lower end of the upper member 6 and extending thereinto a desired distance, usually only slightly longer than the length of the lower member 7. Any conventional or desired support means, such as a foot support, or slider button 9, is operatively carried by each of the lower members 7 at the lower end thereof.

In order to provide the desired controlled adjustable lengths in the leg unit 3, each of the metal tubes, or lower members 7 has a longitudinally extending slot 10 therein. These slots 10 are spaced appreciably from the upper end of the lower members or tubes 7, and preferably the upper ends of these tubes 7 are flared outwardly, as indicated at 11, to aid in retaining the lower members 7 in slidable or operative engagement with the upper members 6 at all times to avoid undesired disconnection of the upper and lower members. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, preferably a metal ferrule 12 is suitably secured to the lower end of the upper member '6 and it has an axially inwardly directed neck 13 provided on the lower end of the ferrule. The neck 13 is of an eflfective internal diameter smaller than that of the bore 8 in the upper member 6 so that a fixed support portion is provided by the ferrule 12 for purposes to be described hereinafter in more detail. This neck 13 of the ferrule 12 is, as shown in the drawings, positioned immediately adjacent and in effect forming the lower end of the bore 8 in the upper member 6. The lower member 7 is snugly and slidably engaged with the ferrule neck 13.

In order to provide the automatic load support action desired in the leg unit 3, an elongate Wire spring 14 is received in the bore of the lower member 7 and extends a major portion of the length thereof. This leaf or wire of generally U-shape, or bell shape.

spring 14 is of generally are shape and is radially compressed into the bore of this lower member or tube 7 to engage thewalls of the bore with sufficient frictional force as to retain itself therein against any ready displacement or movement after once positioned in the member 7. The ends of the spring 14 are reversely curved at 14a. In all events, this spring 14 is also provided with a radially outwardly extending offset section 15 which is Such offset section 15 preferably has radially outwardly extending legs 16 and 17 therein and a generally longitudinally extending base 13. These legs 16 and 17 each are slightly curved to dip inwardly and then outwardly and provide effective seats for engaging the neck 13 and/ or a wall of the slot 10. Hence good locking positioning of the spring 14 and lower member 7 in operative extended position is obtained. The spring 14 also is reversible by the uniform oifset section 15 shown. The spring 14 is so positioned within the lower member, 7 that the offset section 15 normally engages or is positioned in radial alignment with the slot 10. The offset section 15 is of a size as to extend through the slot when the lower member 7 is pulled far enough from the upper member 6 as to permit the spring compression in the spring 14 to force the olfset section radially outwardly through this slot 10( When in its operative position, the oifset section 15 forms a support shoulder for limiting or preventing axial inward movement of the lower member 7 with relation to the upper member 6.

In many instances, it is desired that the lower member 7 be held fixedly against both either axially inward or axially outward movement with relation to the upper member 6 and to this end, one or more tabs or lips 19 are provided on the lower member 7 immediately above and usually diametrically opposed to the slot 10 so that such outwardly and downwardly directed tab 19 will engage the inner surface of the ferrule neck 13 or an inwardly flared end portion of the bore 8 when the leg 16 of the offset section is engaging the outer surface of the ferrule neck to hold the lower member in a fixed vertical position with relation to the upper member.

It will be seen that in some instances, it may be desirable to make the upper member 6 and ferrule 12 from in the bore 8 than the remainder ofthe lower member to serve as a guide and prevent any noticeable wobbling 'of V the lower member 7 with relation to the upper member 6. a

It will be realized that when the offset section 15 is forced radially inwardly a suflicient distance as to slide such offset section inwardly of the ferrule neck 13, then the lower member 7 can be slid substantially completely into the upper member 6 and the support button or foot 9 will operatively bear on or engage the ferrule neck 13 and'provide a different support length for the leg unit 3. It will be understood that the spring 14 can be made from any suitable material, but usually is made from cylindrical Wire, or a flat wire having suificient gage as to provide desired support strength in the offset section 15 for any load conditions normally encountered by the leg units 3.- V V 7 FIG. 4 shows a modified structure of the invention wherein a spring-14b is shown that has a plurality of vertically spaced oifset sections 15!),150 provided thereon. Likewise, a pair of slots 10a, 1011 are provided in vertically spaced portions of the lower member 7a so that the offset sections 15!) and 150, respectively, can be regis tered with the slot 10a Hence, when the lower member 7a is moved far enough out of the upper member 6a as to permit one or both of the offset sections 15b or 150 to move radially outwardly, they immediately take their released positions to form support shoulders to prevent axial inward movement of the lower member 7a. Tab 19a, like the tab 19, can only be formed on the lower member 7a immediately adjacent the vertically upper slot 10a provided in this lower member for desired control on the vertical outward movement of the lower member 7a with relation to the upper member 6a. One or more suitable guide sleeves, washers or the like 20 are secured to the inner end of the lower member 7a to prevent any serious looseness or wobbling of the lower member when extended.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that a relatively sturdy, attractive leg unit has been provided and that such leg unit is of relatively uncomplicated and inexpensive construction. However, a positive readily manually releasable lock action is secured by means that are completely hidden with relation to the remainder of the leg construction, except when used. Thus it is believed that the objects of the invention have been achieved.

While two complete embodiments of the invention have been disclosed herein, it will be appreciated that modification of these particular embodiments of the invention may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a table including a top, a plurality of leg units, and means pivotally securing said leg members to said top for movement to and from operative positions, each said leg unit comprising a wooden member having a bore extending thereinto from the lower end thereof, the combination therewith of a metal tube telescopically received in said bore and protruding downwardly therefrom, support means engaging the protruding end of said metal tube, said metal tube having at least one longitudinally extending slot therein, a metal ferrule carried by the end of said wooden member and terminating adjacent the open end of said bore, and an elongate generally axially extending wire spring received in the bore of said metal tube and retained therein under radial compression, said wire spring having a radially outwardly extending U-shaped oifset section with radially extending legs'and a longitudinally extending base, said olfset section being of a width and length as to be snugly received in said slot and to resiliently protrude therethrough when said slot is moved out of the bore in said wooden member to provide a support shoulder to engage said ferrule and prevent axially inward movement of said metal tube until said offset section is forced back into said bore, said metal tube being of a size as to engage said bore to be retained thereby against lateral movement and having a radially outwardly extending tab thereon immediately above and diametrically opposed to said slot to seat on the inner surface of said ferrule to aid in locking said metal tube in an extended load carrying position.

2. In combination with a table having a top, a plurality of leg units, and means pivotally securing said leg members to said top for movement to and from operative positions, each said leg unit comprising a wooden member having a bore extending thereinto from the lower end thereof; a metal tube telescopically received in said bore and protruding downwardly therefrom, support means engaging the protruding end of said metal tube, said metal tube having at least one longitudinally extending slot therein, a metal ferrule carried by the end of said wooden member and terminating in a neck adjacent the open end of said bore, said neck being of a smaller diameter than said bore, and an elongate axially extending wire spring received in the bore of said metal tube and extending longitudinally thereof to be retained therein under radial compression, said wire spring having an integral radially outwardly extending ofrset section with an upwardly directed shoulder at the upper end thereof, said offset section being intermediate the ends of said wire spring and being of a width and length as to be snugly received in said slot and to protrude resiliently therethrough when said slot is moved out of the bore in said wooden member to provide a support shoulder to engage the neck of said ferrule and prevent axially inward movement of said metal tube.

3. A leg for a table or the like which leg has a plurality of load carrying lengths and comprises a wooden member having a bore extending thereinto from the lower end thereof, a metal tube telescopically received in said bore and protruding downwardly therefrom, support means engaging the protruding end of said metal tube, said metal tube having vertically spaced longitudinally extending slots therein, a metal ferrule carried by the end of said wooden member and terminating adjacent the open end of said bore, and a wire spring received in the bore of said metal tube and retained therein under radial compression, said wire spring having radially outwardly extending longitudinally spaced bell-shaped offset sections with radially extending legs and longitudinally extending bases, said offset sections each being of a width, length and spacing as to be snugly received in each of said slots to protrude therethrough when such slot is moved out of the bore in said wooden member to provide a support shoulder to engage said ferrule and prevent axially inward movement of said metal tube, said metal tube having a radially outwardly extending tab thereon immediately above and diametrically opposed to the upper one of said slots to seat on the inner surface of said ferrule to prevent axial movement of said metal tube past an extended load carrying position.

4. A leg for a table or the like which leg has a plurality of load carrying lengths and comprises a wooden member having a bore extending thereinto from the lower end thereof, a metal tube telescopically received in said bore and protruding downwardly therefrom, support means carried by the protruding end of said metal tube, said metal tube having a longitudinally extending slot therein, a metal ferrule carried by the end of said Wooden member and terminating adjacent the open end of said bore, and an elongate axially extending wire spring received in the bore of said metal tube and retained therein under radial compression of axially spaced portions of the wire spring, said wire spring having a radially outwardly extending bell-shaped ofiset section with radially extending legs and a longitudinally extending base, said offset section being of a width and length as to be snugly received in said slot in said metal tube and to protrude therethrough when said slot is slid out of the bore in said wooden member to provide a downwardly and inwardly curved support shoulder to engage said ferrule and prevent axially inward movement of said metal tube, said metal tube having an outwardly flared upper end to engage said ferrule to prevent said metal tube from being pulled downwardly out of said bore, said metal tube having a radially outwardly extending tab thereon immediately above and diametrically opposed to said slot to seat on the inner surface of said ferrule to aid in locking said metal tube in an extended load carrying position and to prevent movement of said metal tube past its extended load carrying position.

5. A leg for a table, which leg has a plurality of load carrying lengths and comprises an upper member having a bore extending thereinto from the lower end thereof, a tubular member telescopically received in said bore and protruding downwardly from said upper member, said tubular member having a longitudinally extending slot therein, said upper member having means operatively associated therewith to provide a reduced diameter neck portion at the open end of said bore to engage said tubular member and prevent lateral movement thereof and an elongate wire spring received in the bore of said tubular member and retained therein under radial compression, said wire spring having a radially outwardly extending offset section with downwardly and upwardly facing shoulders therein, said offset section being intermediate the ends of said wire spring and being of a width and length as to be snugly received in said slot to protrude therethrough when said slot is moved out of the bore in said upper member to provide support shoulders to engage a wall of said slot and said neck portion to prevent axially inward movement of said tubular member, said support shoulders having curved sections therein to aid in obtaining good engagement with associated members when said olfset section is operatively positioned.

6. A leg as in claim 5 where said tubular member has an outwardly extending tab thereon above and substantially diametrically opposed to said slot to engage said neck portion of said means when said offset section engages said slot to aid in locking said tubular member in extended operative position, and where said Wire spring resiliently retains itself in position in said tubular member by radial compression of axially spaced portions of said wire spring.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,745,845 Ebbecke Feb. 4, 1930 1,792,714 Shelds Feb. 17, 1931 1,919,114 Ley July 18, 1933 1,924,945 Klotz Aug. 29, 1933 2,427,841 Dichter Sept. 23, 1947 2,473,388 Rambo June 14, 1949 2,548,648 Booth Apr. 10, 1951 2,591,999 Barham Apr. 8, 1952 2,685,487 Woller Aug. 3, 1954 2,722,970 Stechmann Nov. 8, 1955 2,746,822 Copenhaver May 22, 1956 2,752,218 Shea June 26, 1956 2,800,737 Crossan July 30, 1957 

